The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-08-26

developed an astonishing fondness fol
the cellar rs place Of resort All hi
spare moments were>spent there. in do
ing-so far as we could learn-nothins
at all. Going there, at infrequent in
tervals, was snre to find him lowering
like an uneasy spirit, about the stairs
or in the cellar itself.
To add to Delia's troubles-whicf
were real and substantial enough-we
began. at this time. to suffer from the
depredations of sneak-thieves. Curl.
ously enough. they raided nothing ex
cept the pantry; but Delia's toothsOme
viands diappeared almost before hel
eyes. in manner that bOrdered closely
upon the miraculous. Aroast chicken,
left alone for a moment. just before
dinner. was invisible when the platter
was prepared for it; and our faithful
servant came at last. with fearful eyes,
to tell us that five loaves of cake had
been in some way distracted from the
tin. between breakfast and lunch-tfme.
With so many disturbing influences
upon us it was not to be expected that
the Sabbath next after little Eliza's dis
appearance should pass pleasantly. What
with the search for the child and our
sympathy for our friends. my wife and
were quite worn out. As for Della
and Abe, they had not even visited
their own little home. though away
from it. as believe, their restlessness
increased their anxiety.
Uncle Abe. unshaven and coatless.
wandered about the lower part of the
house, making frequent visits to the
cellar. 1t was in vain that Della coax
ed him to 60 with her to the "chu' Oh
in de holler," in which he was deacon
and shining light To all her en-
treaties he vouchsafed not even An in
telligible reply.
Else mizzablc ole sinner, Marse
WILL" he said to me; Il feels dough l
done backsfid."
As we left the shurch that evening.
the sound of the fire-alarm bells came
to my ear, and l learned by the num-
Der which struck that the fire must be
near us. l saw, however. that my wife
was forgetting her anxietics in ple"s-
ant chat with friends and had not the
heart to disquiet hen. Engrossed as l
also was, the matter quite slipped my
mind, until sudden turn in the street
showed us our own home wrapped,
from the second story upward, in
flames.
An ample insurance somewhat al
layed my excitement and quieted my
fears of loss. But, in the hope that I
might be able to save some of our
household treasures, passed the fire
mems rope and ran to the parlor. To
ascend the stairs which led to the
chambers l saw would be impossible.
In the intensely heated and sitting at
mOsphere. the best that could do was
hastily to load my arms with few of
our most valuable possessions and
hurry out.
As l stumbled down the steps,
heard shout from the crowd outside.
Gaining place of safety. 1 laid down
my burden. cleared my eyes of the
binding smoke and looked backward.
Judge of my surprise and dread at be-
holding Noah Peters, look of grim de-
termination on his face, running rap
idly up the ladder which the firemen
had left!
HE acts like fool nigger." said a
bystander; "but they say there's
baby of his in the house"
Everything was explained. Noah,
coming to make his daily call for news,
had understood, in some way. that his
child had been found. and was in the
house. He had started to save her.
That portion of the ladder which
rested against the second-story window
had caught fire. As he neared it, Noah
bounded to the ivy-trellis; and using
that frail support for a foothold. drew
himself up by the water-pipe until he
disappeared amid the smoke which
burst from an upper window.
Then Uncle Abe, his countenance like
that of dead man. came to my side.
God help de boy-an' mel" he
groaned. He's done gone to dcsth an
1 killed him. DEFY, go git dat baby.
She's slowed away in de little cis-
ternr
At that moment Noah's face was
seen at the window. Framed in the
lurid glare, it looked death-stricken
and despairing. Abe fell on his knees
in the midst of the crowd. As loud as
l could shouted: "Come! your child
is herer' as Della. whose fear had lent
her wings. pushed her way to us, hold
ing Noah's baby to hes own broad
breast
The fire was all about him now, bu
the sight of the little one for whom he
mad periled life gave him new courage.
Down through the smoke and flame,
catching Mt the cracking trellis, touch
ing his feet on the cornices. clinging
to the pipe which had aided his ascent,
he came to US. falling. bleeding.
burning mass on The scorched grass at
our feet.
go to your fodder. Lily" said
Uncle Abe, solemnly. II KANT lub you
no better'n he does. see it now.'
Tenderly the injured man was borne
to the shelter of a hospitable neighbor's
house. With him went the child"
Had NOah's life been at the mercy of
anovelist, he might have died. As this
is true story, it becomes me to say he
did not die. His recovery was not
sneedily hrnuoht about. and he will